Dubai welcomes high-tech cruise ship

Dubai has welcomed ‘Spectrum of the Seas’ into Port Rashid recently bringing almost 4,000 tourists to the emirate in a single day.

TT Bureau

Weighing 168,666 gross tonnes, Royal Caribbean’s new ‘Spectrum of the Seas’ will be the largest and most advanced cruise ship to port in Dubai. The cruise brand revealed several new innovations and features on board, displaying ‘first-at-sea’ activities such as the Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline, RipCord by iFly sky diving simulator and North Star observation pod that offers guests panoramic views more than 300 feet above sea level.

In addition, the ship’s interiors offer world-class facilities including a variety of cuisines from around the world, a music hall and SeaPlex; the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex with bumper cars, roller skating and basketball.

Mohamed Abdul Aziz Al Mannai, CEO, P&O Marina and Port Rashid at DP World, said, “The cruise ship terminal at Port Rashid has recorded significant achievements over the past few years, including the development of marine, commercial and tourism infrastructure. This strengthens the emirate’s global position as a hub for trade and cruise tourism and supports the tourism sector in Dubai and its efforts to establish the emirate among the best cities in the world.”

Al Mannai also outlined that the shipyard at Port Rashid welcomes close to half a million visitors annually and expects 725,000 visitors during the 2018-19 cruise season, as a result of Dubai’s ongoing efforts to attract tourists and investors to the emirate.

Jamal Alfalasi, Director, Dubai Cruise Tourism, said, “Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing number of reputable cruise liners visiting the emirate and our ongoing partnership with key stakeholders is testament to delivering topclass cruise facilities and providing distinctive services to enhance the tourists’ experience, marking Dubai as a significant destination for cruise tourists.